Last week was rough for picking winners against the spread. I had my first losing week, going 4-6 (but with 2-3 very narrow losses), but considering all the upsets in college football that went on, I think that’s an okay mark. On the year, I’m now 28-22 (.560), so things are still on the plus side of the ledger.

Here are my top 10 picks for this week, with spreads courtesy of DocSports.com. Picks are in bold.

Michigan State – 21 at Purdue

The Spartans defense will dominate a lackluster, non-athletic offense like Purdue’s. The MSU offense is actually underrated and does not try to control the ball like most great defensive teams. It likes to score as much as possible, so I expect a blowout on the order of 42 – 10.

LSU -1 at Florida

Florida is a mess. The Gators had been starting a true freshman at QB and he’s suspended, so they’ll go with former starter Jeff Driskel against LSU. The Tigers are also starting a true freshman QB, but I thnk he’s actually pretty solid. LSU is just better and will win this one easily, 24 – 9.

OVER 70 total Washington at California
California’s offense is a juggernaut and UW has real issues in the secondary. At the same time, California’s defense can’t stop anybody and UW’s offense has shown signs of life at times. Both teams should be in the 40s in this one so I like the OVER. Cal 52, Washington 42

NC State -3.5 vs. Boston College

The Wolfpack have a mobile QB in Jacoby Brissett who can also throw. They gave FSU all it could handle before losing and then they had a letdown last week vs. Clemson, but I think they’ll put it together to beat BC. NC State 31, Boston College 24

Clemson -10 vs. Louisville
Deshaun Watson is the best young quarterback in the country and Clemson offense is turning into a monster. I think the Tigers start slow but eventually overwhelm the Cardinals in Death Valley. Clemson 35, Louisville 17

Auburn -3 at Mississippi State
I see Auburn as the best team in the country with the best coach. This is going to be a back and forth game, but the Tigers will find a way to win by a touchdown or more. Auburn 38, Mississippi State 27

Arizona +3 at USC
The Wildcats just have too much offense for USC to handle, but I think the Trojans will put up a good fight. This should be a barn burner with Arizona coming out on top, 41-31.

Oregon -3 at UCLA

One of these teams is going to leave with a two-game losing streak. I see Oregon as being mentally tougher than the Bruins right now. Having arguably the best player in the country to work with in Marcus Mariota gives the Ducks the edge. Oregon 45, UCLA 35

Notre Dame -17 vs. UNC

North Carolina’s defensive struggles will continue in South Bend. I don’t see the Tar Heels doing too much on the offensive side of the ball either. Another big game for Everett Golson and the Irish romp, 35-13.

OVER 64 total TCU at Baylor
As well as these two defenses have played so far this year, I don’t think either has seen an offense as good as what they’ll see on Saturday in Waco. I’m not sure who’s going to win this, but I think we’ll see a lot of points so I’m taking the OVER. Let’s go with Baylor 38, TCU 37.

A person familiar with investigation of the possible violations by Georgia running back Todd Gurley told the AJC on Friday that it’s a “significant” case of the sale of memorabilia and there is a possibility that Gurley may not be cleared to return to the field this season.

I’m a big proponent of Heisman campaigns. They aren’t always absolutely vital to winning the trophy, but they never hurt and, in some cases, they can end up making quite a difference.

However, when the prospect of mounting a Heisman campaign comes up for public discussion, you invariably get naysayers — especially coaches — who claim they’re not needed and that the player’s performance on the field is what constitutes a campaign.

A tumultuous weekend in college football has led to a shakeup in the Heisman race as well.

Georgia running back Todd Gurley returned to the top spot in HeismanPundit’s latest Heisman Straw Poll released on Tuesday, knocking off Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, whose team was upset, 31-24, by Arizona last Thursday night.

It’s the second time this year that Gurley’s been the top choice in the weekly survey, which canvasses a panel of 10 Heisman voters from around the country. He appeared on nine of the 10 ballots, garnering five first-place votes and 23 total points. After five games, Gurley is third in the nation in rushing at 154.6 yards per game.

Dak Prescott of Mississippi State surged into second place following his performance in the Bulldogs’ 48-31 victory over Texas A&M. He also appeared on nine ballots, collecting four first-place votes and 18 total points. This is the first time a player from Mississippi State has appeared in HeismanPundit’s straw poll.

Mariota tumbled from first to third, tallying 11 points while grabbing the remaining first-place vote. He had led the four previous polls and five out of six on the season.

Wisconin running back Melvin Gordon’s 259 rushing yards against Northwestern bumped him into fourth place with six points, while Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall and Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper tied for fifth with one point each.

Now in its ninth season, HeismanPundit.com’s Heisman Straw Poll is the college football world’s most trusted gauge of Heisman voter sentiment. It has been the most accurate Heisman poll in the country during the past seven seasons, with the final 2012 poll correctly picking the top five finishers and the final 2011 poll picking the top seven. This year’s poll is made up of 10 anonymous Heisman voters from across the country. Each week during the season they will pick three players. Tabulations for the preseason poll are tabulated like a real Heisman ballot, with three points awarded for a first-place vote, two points for a second-place vote and one point for a third-place vote.

Each week’s poll is released on Tuesdays throughout the season at HeismanPundit.com. .